Microporous Metal Organic Frameworks
Project No.: FC26-07NT43092

Examples of several MOFs under investigation

UOP LLC is conducting research for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) using novel microporous metal organic frameworks (MOFs). In the first project, NT42121, UOP partnered with the University of Michigan and Northwestern University to evaluate MOFs in both pre-combustion and post-combustion applications. In the second project, NT43092, UOP is collaborating with Vanderbilt University and the University of Edinburgh, as well as the University of Michigan and Northwestern University, in a more focused effort on MOFs in post-combustion applications. MOFs are an extraordinary class of materials having extremely high adsorption capacities. MOFs, essentially scaffolds made up of metal hubs linked together with struts of organic compounds, are hybrid organic/inorganic structures designed to maximize surface area. MOFs, which can be readily tailored by modifying either the organic linker and/or the metal hub, have previously exhibited exceptional adsorption capacity for methane, hydrogen, and other gases.

The primary goal is to develop a low-cost, novel sorbent and associated process to remove CO2 from coal-fired power plant flue gas in a cost effective manner. Molecular modeling will be used to identify MOFs with the best sorption properties for CO2 and to predict the structures of new MOFs with favorable sorption properties. UOP will use its combinatorial chemistry capabilities to systematically synthesize a wide range of state-of-the-art MOFs and related materials. A detailed characterization of the novel materials will also be performed to determine the active sorption sites. Other considerations, such as hydrothermal stability, process economics, and process integration of the MOFs into coal-based power plants, will be addressed.